Life During a Great Depression Primary Source Picture Analysis

SSUSH 17
Picture link: http://teachers.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/lvandeven/documents/GreatDepressionPhotos.pdf
Activity Objective To reinforce SSUSH 17-18 to the class using primary sources and analysis and to portray
an accurate depictuon of the Great Depression Era to THS Students through an Life During a Great
Depression mural.
Directions: Examine your photograph. Answer the following questions based on your observations. Use
complete sentences.
Step 1. Observation
A.

Study the photograph for 2 minutes. Form an overall impression of the photograph and then examine
individual items. Next, divide the photo into quadrants and study each section to see what new details
become visible.
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B.

Use the chart below to list people, objects, and activities in the photograph.
People

Objects

Activities

C. How does the picture connect to your standard (SSUSH 17-18)? Write key words, phrases or ideas
that connect the picture to the standard.
Step 2. Inference
Based on what you have observed above, list three things you might infer (assume) from this photograph.
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Step 3. Questions
A.

What questions does this photograph raise in your mind?

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B.

Where could you find answers to them?

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Step 4: ANSWER:
Historical Context: After the crash of the stock market in 1929, the Great Depression began. The
Depression brought devastation to the economy of the United States and resulted in severe problems for
the American people. Throughout the 1930s, the American people and the government dealt with the
Depression in various ways.
Task: Using information from the documents and your knowledge of United States history, answer the
questions:
1. Discuss problems faced by the American people during the Great Depression of the 1930s
2. Explain how the American people and the government dealt with the problems of the Depression
In developing your answers, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
(a) discuss means to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail
(b) explain means to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of.
CATEGORY

Observations

Student makes a
complete and detailed
description of the
subject matter and/or
elements seen the
photo.
For each question for
each photo.

Student makes a
detailed description of
most of the subject
matter and/or elements
seen the photo.

Student makes a
Student descriptions are
detailed description of not detailed or complete.
some of the subject
matter and/or elements
seen the photo.

Important Details

Student accurately
describes several of the
important elements in
the photo and gives
supporting details as to
why these elements are
important in their essay
and answers to
questions.

Student accurately
describes a few of the
important elements in
the photo and gives
supporting details as to
why these elements are
importantin their essay
and answers to
questions. .

Student describes a
couple of the important
elements in the photo in
their essay and answers
to questions. .

Student has trouble

picking out the important
elements in the photo in
their essay and answers
to questions.

Historical Context
Essay

Student places the

photo in an historical
context and gives
supporting details and
their essay. Their essay
answers both questions
completely and
accurately.

Student attempts to
place the photo is an
historical time frame in
their essay. Their essay
answers both questions
accurately.

Student can relate how

the photo makes
him/her feel personally
in their essay. Their
essay answers both
questions but the essay
is not complete or
accurate.

Student finds it difficult

to interpret the meaning
of the photo in their
essay. Their essay is
lacking any context or
analysis. The questions
are not answered
adequately.

Questions Raised

Student lists three or

more questions raised
by the photo.

Student lists two

Student lists a question Student does not list any
questions raised by the that is only tangentially questions raised by the
photo.
related to the photo
photo.
graph.